Windsor, North Carolina June 17, 2013 Budget Public Hearing and Meeting The Bertie County Board of Commissioners met for a budget public hearing at 4:00 PM in the Commissioners Room with the following members present or absent: Present: Absent: Staff Present: J. Wallace Perry, Chairman Charles L. Smith, Vice-Chairman Rick Harrell John Trent Ronald Wesson None Interim County Manager John Whitehurst Assistant County Manager Misty J. Gibbs Chairman Perry opened the meeting. Commissioner Harrell gave the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Interim County Manager Whitehurst discussed the proposed budget for FY 2013-2014. Mr. Whitehurst stated that the budget proposal does include a $0.06 tax increase, mostly because of the debt service on the new Bertie High School. This would make the tax rate in Bertie County $0.84. Chairman Perry opened up the floor for public comments. Mr. David Thompson inquired about how much was cut out of the budget for Lawrence Memorial Library and the cut for the Hope Plantation budget. Ms. Patricia Ferguson commended the Board on its work during such difficult times. Ms. Ferguson asked the Board to do whatever is possible to help fuel economic development and to be sensitive to the needs of poor people. Chairman Perry stated that the Board would allow additional public comments at its meeting in Kelford that night. RECESS Chairman Perry recessed the meeting until 7:00 PM at the Kelford Community Building, Kelford, NC. REGULAR MEETING The Bertie County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting at 7:00 PM in the Commissioners Room with the following members present or absent: Present: Absent: Staff Present: J. Wallace Perry, Chairman Charles L. Smith, Vice-Chairman Rick Harrell John Trent Ronald Wesson None Interim County Manager John Whitehurst Assistant County Manager Misty J. Gibbs Assistant County Attorney Jonathan Huddleston Chairman Perry opened the meeting.
Commissioner Wesson led the invocation. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED Chairman Perry informed the public that the Board had decided to continue the budget public hearing at this meeting. Interim County Manager Whitehurst discussed the proposed FY 2013-2014 budget. Ms. Della Lewis stated that she did not know how the county could continue to keep raising everything instead of cutting back. Ms. Martha Thompson stated that citizens had already realized a tax increase during the last fiscal year and now would realize an additional increase. Ms. Bobbie Wise asked what assurance the public has that the payment on the high school will not increase. Ms. Sandra Hardy asked what other options has the Board looked at to balance the budget instead of raising taxes. Ms. Martha Thompson asked if the County has any lottery funds that could offset the budget. Ms. Thompson also inquired about the abandoned mobile home program. Mr. John Eaton inquired about the abandoned mobile home program. Ms. Lisa Briley thanked the Board for bringing its meeting to Kelford. Ms. Briley stated that she was concerned that the county has gotten to the point where these kinds of measures are necessary and is concerned about spending. The Board answered these citizen questions when appropriate. Commissioner Trent discussed the tax rate, fire taxes, trash taxes, etc. in other counties, which are not present now in Bertie County. Ms. Lisa Briley inquired about the proposal for door to door trash pickup and asked if this would be a mandatory program. Ms. Briley stated that she does not agree with a mandatory program. Commissioner Trent discussed the proposal for door to door trash pickup. Ms. Martha Thompson stated that citizens who live in towns must pay taxes to both the town and county. Kelford Mayor Bailey Parker stated that towns like Roxobel and Kelford would like to be involved in the County s curbside pickup contract. Commissioner Harrell introduced a MOTION to approve the budget as presented and to approve the budget ordinance. Commissioner Smith SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. The budget ordinance reads as follows:
PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Doug Spivey asked how much each commissioner gets paid and recommended that the Board forgo getting a salary to save money. The Board discussed the cost of a new high school. Mr. Spivey asked how much the superintendent of school makes. The Board informed him that the Board of Education sets that salary. Mr. Spivey discussed his displeasure at the tax increase. Mr. Spivey asked each Board member his political affiliation, and upon hearing that most of them are Democrats, proclaimed that Democrats are what is wrong in the nation. Mr. David Thompson stated that he felt the Board dodged liability by building a new high school because of the environmental issues with the current high school facility. Ms. Bobbie Wise asked what the commissioners have been doing to bring new business into the County. Mr. Gary Terry stated that he supports statements made by Mr. Doug Spivey. Mr. Terry discussed his displeasure at comments made at the last community meeting regarding unemployment.
Mr. Henry Boschen asked about the allocation to the school system. Ms. Martha Thompson inquired about this allocation as well. Mr. Doug Spivey stated that he does not believe that Bertie County will attract the kinds of businesses that it needs because of the school system. Mr. Bailey Parker asked how Kelford can be involved in the door to door trash pickup proposal. Commissioner Trent discussed the process. APPOINTMENTS MR. MIKE BARNETTE OF MCDAVID ASSOCIATES REGARDING PROJECT BUDGET FOR THE 2011 SCATTERED SITE HOUSING PROGRAM Mr. Barnette discussed the revised budget for the program. Mr. Barnette stated that on July 9, 2012, the Board adopted a Project Budget for the 2011 CDBG SSH Program. The Project Budget contained a typographical error and did not contain the L-1 Rehabilitation line item. Attached is a revised Project Budget which contains the $36,000 L-1 Rehabilitation line item. Commissioner Harrell introduced a MOTION to approve the project budget. Commissioner Wesson SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. The resolution reads as follows: GRANT PROGRAM BUDGET BERTIE COUNTY 2011 CDBG-SSH PROGRAM (Revised 6-17-13) Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Bertie County, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the County adopts the following Grant Program Budget: Section 1. The Program authorized is the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) described in the work statement contained in the grant agreement between this unit and the Division of Community Investment and Assistance (CI). This project is more familiarly known as the 2011 CDBG-Scattered Site Housing (SSH) Program. Section 2. The officers of this unit are hereby directed to proceed with the Grant Program Budget within the terms of the grant documents, the rules and regulations of the Division of Community Investment and Assistance and the budget contained herein. Section 3. The following revenues are anticipated to be available to complete this Program: Community Development Funds $ 400,000 Other Revenues 0 TOTAL $ 400,000 Section 4. The following amounts are appropriated for the Program: C-1 Rehabilitation $ 152,000 C-1 Reconstruction 160,000 C-1 Clearance 10,000 C-1 Temporary Relocation 2,000 C-1 Administration 36,000 L-1 Rehabilitation 36,000 L-1 Administration 4,000 TOTAL $ 400,000.00
Section 5. The finance officer is hereby directed to maintain within the Grant Program Fund sufficient specific detailed accounting records to provide the accounting to the grantor agency required by the grant agreement and federal and state regulations, and is authorized to sign Budget Revisions to amend this budget within limits authorized by NC CI for budget changes not requiring a program amendment. Section 6. Funds may be advanced from the General Funds for the purpose of making payments as due. Reimbursement requests should be made to the grantor agency in an orderly and timely manner Section 7. The finance officer is directed to report annually on the financial status of each project element in Section 4 and on the total grant revenues received or claimed.section 8. The budget officer is directed to include a detailed analysis of past and future costs and revenues on this grant project in every budget submission made to this board. Section 9. Copies of this grant project ordinance shall be made available to the budget officer and the finance officer for direction in carrying out this Program. Adopted the 17th day of June, 2013. J. Wallace Perry Chairman ATTEST: Misty J. Gibbs Clerk to the Board MR. CHARLES JOYNER OF MCDAVID ASSOCIATES REGARDING RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD FOR CONTRACT 1 WATER IMPROVEMENTS TO BLACK ROCK SUBDIVISION AND RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR BLACK ROCK SUBDIVISION WATER IMPROVEMENTS Commissioner Harrell introduced a MOTION to convene as the Board for Water Districts I, II, III and IV. Commissioner Trent SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. Mr. Joyner discussed the bids received for contract I. Commissioner Harrell introduced a MOTION to approve the contract with Tony E. Hawley Construction. Commissioner Trent SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. Commissioner Wesson introduced a MOTION to approve the resolution adopting the capital project budget ordinance for Black Rock Subdivision water improvements. Commissioner Harrell SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. The resolution reads as follows:
Commissioner Harrell introduced a MOTION to adjourn as the Board for Water Districts I, II, III and IV. Commissioner Wesson SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. DISCUSSION AGENDA PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS EASEMENT The Board tabled this matter. PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY REQUESTS Assistant County Manager Gibbs presented the following guidelines.
Memo PO Box 530 106 Dundee Street Windsor, NC 27983 (252) 794-6110 Fax (252) 794-5327 misty.gibbs@bertie.nc.gov www.co.bertie.nc.us To: From: Bertie County Board of Commissioners Misty J. Gibbs, Assistant County Manager/Clerk to the Board CC: Date: 6-17-2013 Re: Proposed Guidelines for Birthday/Special Events Requests From time to time we are asked by citizens to send a congratulatory letter to residents or organizations who are celebrating a birthday or special event such as a church anniversary, special award, etc. In the past, we have sent such letters signed by the Chairman. The President s Office and Governor s Office send such letters upon request as well. I would like to put the option to request such letters on the new Bertie County website when it is launched. We have never had approved guidelines on how to handle such requests. I would recommend that the Board approve the guidelines as follows: 1. You must be a Bertie County citizen or an organization within Bertie County to receive a personalized greeting from the Board of Commissioners. 2. Citizens or organizations with special events and citizens turning 80 to 99 years of age are eligible to receive a signed letter from the Board of Commissioners. 3. Citizens turning 100+ years of age are eligible to receive a Proclamation from the Bertie County Board of Commissioners. 4. Requests must be made at least one-month in advance of the birthday or event in order to be processed and arrive by the birthday or event date. Commissioner Trent introduced a MOTION to approve the guidelines. Commissioner Smith SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. Commissioner Wesson discussed the option to email questions to the county on the County s website. Mr. Wesson discussed the proposed new website and the new process for appointments to boards, commissions and committees. Mr. Henry Boschen commended Emergency Management Coordinator Mitch Cooper for getting information out to the community. PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING THE 100 TH BIRTHDAY OF MS. WILLIE MAE PERRY Assistant County Manager Gibbs discussed the proposed proclamation. Commissioner Wesson introduced a MOTION to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Trent SECONDED the motion. The MOTION PASSED unanimously. The proclamation reads as follows:
Proclamation Celebrating the 100 th Birthday of Ms. Willie Mae Perry WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry was born on June 9, 1913 and is celebrating her 100 th birthday this month; and WHEREAS, longevity of life is a blessing for an individual and for a community which benefits from the knowledge, creativity, and experiences this individual brings to all; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry was a devoted wife to Mr. Raeford Blue Perry, and mother to her children, William Alton Perry, Betty Ray Perry and George Frosty Perry; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry is the loving grandmother to five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry has been a life-long resident of the Perrytown community in Bertie County; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry was a dedicated employee of Ahoskie Manufacturing Company, where she retired; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry is a longstanding member of Bethany Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, Ms. Willie Mae Perry loves gardening and spending time with her family and friends. NOW, THEREFORE, THE BERTIE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY PROCLAIM its congratulations on the event of the 100 th birthday of Ms. Willie Mae Perry on June 9, 2013 and urges the citizens of Bertie County to pay special tribute to this very special member of our community. This the 17 th day of June, 2013. J. Wallace Perry, Chairman Bertie County Board of Commissioners There were no reports. There were no reports. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS COUNTY MANAGER S REPORTS PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED Ms. Latisha Harris asked for the website address for Bertie County. Ms. Gibbs gave her this address. Mr. Joe Wise stated that the County has a great website which helps to get information out to citizens. Mr. Wise stated that for those citizens who say they don t like the way things are going, applying to serve on a board is a good way to be involved. Ms. Dayle Vaughan commended the Board.
Ms. Norcross thanked the Board for coming to Kelford. Ms. Sue Parker asked if the meetings would continue to rotate. Chairman Perry stated that the second meeting of each month would be held in a community location. Commissioner Trent stated that the next meeting would be July 15 at the Colerain Fire Department Training Room. Mr. Gary Terry stated that former Governor James Holshouser had passed and encouraged the board to pass a resolution honoring him. RECESS Commissioner Perry recessed the meeting until 2:30 PM on June 19, 2013 in the Commissioners Room, 106 Dundee Street, Windsor for a closed session regarding personnel. J. Wallace Perry, Chairman Misty J. Gibbs, Clerk to the Board